A traditional Okuribon event in Nishinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture, called "Shara Fune Okuri," was held to return the spirits of ancestors to the sea in boats made of bamboo and rice straw.
"Shara Fune Okuri" is a traditional Okuribon event that has been handed down in Nishinoshima Town since the Meiji period. I'm here.
On the 16th, many people gathered at the local port early in the morning, and a 15-meter-high mast with colorful decorations was attached to an 8-meter-long boat made of bamboo and rice straw.
Five junior high school students wearing life jackets boarded the Xara ship, and it was towed around the harbor slowly by a fishing boat.
Usually, six Shara ships go offshore on August 16, the last day of Obon, but this year only one ship was postponed due to strong winds, and the other five ships were postponed.
Hideo Amakusa (74), the mayor of the Urago district who sent the ship, said, "The work to create the Shara ship was delayed due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but I'm glad I made it in time."